Had 4 trees planted today. There is nothing like getting to watch someone else work for a change!

And I took some pictures to give you an idea of how the Tuscan garden is coming along. Since the trees planted today were 3 pinion pines (the state tree of New Mexico) and a Ponderosa pine, what we have going here is a sort of wild-west, high-altitude, low-oxygen Tuscan garden. But it is beautiful all the same. And I can dream of pinon nuts someday.

People walking their dogs or children in the park behind regularly stop and look (and comment). It is a very pleasant neighborhood with gorgeous mountain views (which are ubiquitous in the Springs) but one where most back yards are comprised of dying Kentucky blue grass and/or scrub not quite hidden behind a decaying wood fence. Yesterday, i watched a man earnestly point to various elements in the yard and talk in animated tones to a woman companion for several minutes before moving on. Could we support the Institute through garden tours?